Danmachi: God of Heroes

The thick air on the 13th Floor of the Dungeon smelled of burnt stone and dried blood. That place was a turning point for many adventurers: a territory where monsters were not only stronger, but smarter, more ferocious. And at that moment, Veldrin and Lili were facing one of the most feared creatures in that area: an infant dragon.

The beast, with crimson scales and golden eyes filled with primal fury, roared with a sound that made the walls of the apartment tremble. It was a warning, but neither Veldrin nor Lili had any intention of backing down.

Veldrin moved first, his glaives spinning in a flash of metallic light as he advanced on the dragon. Lili, positioned at the rear, raised her crossbow and channeled her magic.

"Fire Arrow!"

An arrow wrapped in flames shot forth, illuminating the dark surroundings with its crimson glow. It struck the dragon's side, eliciting a roar of fury and pain as the flames licked at its scales.

Veldrin took advantage of the instant the creature twisted. His body slid precisely between the dragon's claws, his glaives tracing sharp cuts against its front legs. However, the beast's hardened hide reduced the impact of the blows.

The infant dragon kicked out hard, raising a cloud of dust and forcing Veldrin back. His golden eyes locked onto Lili. He now knew who was attacking him from a distance.

"Damn, he doesn't like being disturbed from afar…"

The creature's nostrils flared before it launched a torrent of flames in Lili's direction. The prum screamed and rolled to the side, feeling the scorching heat brush past her position.

"Lili, keep moving! Don't give him time to focus on you!"

Lili, her heart pounding, gritted her teeth and raised her crossbow again. The fight had only just begun, but it was already clear that they would need more than just slashes and arrows to take down this beast.

Lili ran around the battlefield, keeping her distance as she reloaded her crossbow. The infant dragon turned its massive head in her direction, its eyes burning with fury, clearly annoyed by her ranged attacks.

Veldrin didn't give him time to act.

Taking advantage of the moment the beast was distracted, he lunged forward, his glaives raised. His muscles tensed as he spun, unleashing a downward slash that targeted one of the dragon's front legs. The blade of his glaive sank into the flesh, drawing a shower of scarlet blood.

The dragon's roar was deafening. Its tail lashed out violently, sweeping the ground in an attempt to tear its attacker apart.

Veldrin barely had time to jump back. The tail grazed past him, but the force of the wind made him stumble.

"Fire Arrow!"

Another fiery arrow struck the dragon's neck. Flames engulfed its scales, and though the creature was resistant to fire, the pain and irritation were evident.

"Keep pushing him, Lili!" Veldrin shouted, regaining his balance.

The prum nodded and continued firing. Each projectile she launched carried a spark of magic, impacting the beast's body and forcing it to retreat. But the dragon was not going to tolerate any more ranged attacks.

With a roar, he inhaled deeply. Veldrin recognized that gesture immediately.

"Careful, he's going to spit fire again!"

Lili reacted instantly, darting behind a rock formation as the torrent of flames illuminated the cavern with a hellish glow. The temperature rose abruptly, the ground cracked from the heat and the air became stifling.

But Veldrin did not stop.

He leapt forward, piercing through the veil of flames before the dragon finished its attack. His right glaive glowed with intense light as he activated Burn Mana.

The magic condensed into a blue discharge that shot from the tip of his weapon, striking the dragon's head. The creature roared, shaking its head violently. Its eyes flickered in confusion.

"It worked…" Veldrin muttered with a satisfied smile.

The dragon had stopped breathing fire. Burning Mana had drained its magical energy, preventing it from using its flame breath for the time being.

"Now is our chance!"

Lili emerged from her hiding place and fired another volley of fire arrows. Her projectiles struck the open wounds, intensifying the monster's pain.

Veldrin wasted no time. He launched himself into a swift spin, channeling the force of his body into a lethal strike.

His glaive sank into the dragon's side, tearing flesh and shattering scales.

The creature let out one last roar, wincing from the pain and loss of blood. Its legs trembled, its tail lashed less vigorously, and finally its massive body collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.

A heavy silence settled in the cavern.

Lili was breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling as she lowered her crossbow. She looked at Veldrin, who straightened up with a triumphant smile. "Good job, Lili."

The prum smiled, although she was visibly exhausted.

"Lili thinks Veldrin is too reckless!" Veldrin laughed.

"And I think Lili is too good at aiming."

They both laughed as they approached the dragon's corpse. Their victory was clear, but they still had work to do. They had to collect the creature's magic core and any other valuable materials before returning to the surface.

Lili frowned, hugging her crossbow as she looked at the corpse of the infant dragon at her feet. They had managed to defeat it, yes, but the fight had been intense, and the thought of continuing to descend into the Dungeon gave her a feeling of unease.

"Now what?" he asked, trying to hide the tremble in his voice.

Veldrin inspected the massive dragon magic stone, plucking it from his chest with considerable effort. He held it in one hand, admiring its size before putting it away in his bag. He then looked ahead, heading into the depths of the Dungeon.

"I think we could continue down to the 18th floor," he said matter-of-factly.

Lili blinked several times. "What?"

"It's a safe floor," Veldrin explained, wiping the blood off his glaive. "If we make it up there, we might as well get a good rest before heading back." Lili felt a chill run down her spine.

"Lili thinks Veldrin is crazy!" she exclaimed. "Not only do we have to go through more dangerous floors, but on the 17th floor there is the floor boss, Goliath! How does he expect Lili to accept this?" Veldrin shrugged with a confident smile.

"Don't worry about it. The Loki Familia killed him a few days ago, and it takes a long time for that big guy to regenerate. There will be no fight against Goliath."

Lili narrowed her eyes, not entirely convinced.

"And the road to get there?"

"We just have to be careful," he replied calmly. "Besides, think about it: if we manage to reach the 18th floor, not only will we get a nice reward for the trip, but you'll also gain more experience by facing stronger monsters. There's no better way to improve."

Lili puffed out her cheeks, clearly frustrated.

"Lili thinks Veldrin is a fool!"

Veldrin laughed, gently slapping his back before starting to walk.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Lili sighed heavily, gripping her crossbow as she followed after him.

"Lili knew this day was going to end like this…"

…

It had been five days since the fight between Veldrin and Ais in the garden of the headquarters, five days in which Loki had shown no signs of wanting to pay for the potions. During that time, Veldrin and Lili had been exploring the Dungeon relentlessly, pushing their limits and growing stronger with each battle. 

Meanwhile, Xander had locked himself away in his study, completely absorbed in his project.

And now, finally, he had finished it.

"Warcraft: Scourge of Lordaeron".

Xander set his pen down and leaned back in his chair, staring at the stack of papers that made up his manuscript. This was no ordinary book. Not only was it much longer than its predecessor, but it was also more ambitious. He had poured all his effort into it, making sure every detail was perfectly captured.

The book began with the Alliance Council, where King Terenas received troubling reports of orcs gathering in southern Lordaeron and the emergence of a mysterious plague. In the midst of the discussion, Medivh, the Old Warden, burst into the room with an ominous warning: the Burning Legion would return, and the Plague was not something they could ignore. But King Terenas, confident in the power of his kingdom and his own judgment, rejected the warning, convinced that they could handle the situation on their own. A disappointed Medivh left the meeting, warning that he would find someone else who would listen.

From there, the story focused on the young prince Arthas Menethil, who was sent to stop the extremist orcs that still remained in Lordaeron. The first pages narrated his confrontation in Strahnbrad, where he led his troops to save the villagers from the attack of the slaver orcs. Then, it gave way to the siege of the BlackRock base, where Arthas faced an orc Swordmaster in a fierce combat, ending the last resistance of the Black Horde in those lands.

But victory over the orcs was only the beginning of something much worse.

From there, the story took a dark turn with the appearance of the Undead Plague. Xander had worked especially carefully on this part, making sure to convey the sense of horror and despair that was gripping the realm. The dead were beginning to rise from their graves, attacking the living without mercy. Entire villages fell in a matter of days, and Arthas' efforts to stop the infection only served to show him how futile it was to fight something he could neither see nor fully understand.

It was in the midst of this crisis that she met the necromancer Kel'Thuzad, who revealed that the Scourge was no simple outbreak of disease, but the result of a much larger plan. A dark master was behind it all, one who pulled the strings from the shadows: Mal'Ganis, a dreadlord. Kel'Thuzad's hunt ended with his execution at the hands of Arthas, but even in his death, the Scourge continued to spread.

The revelation of Mal'Ganis marked the true turning point in the story. Xander had enjoyed writing that moment, when the demon appeared before Arthas, mocking his helplessness and challenging him in the city of Stratholme. It was there that Arthas would make the most controversial decision of his life…

Xander exhaled and massaged his temples.

It had taken me longer than expected to finish the book, not only because of its length, but also because of the drawings I had included. At least one illustration per chapter, which had been quite a challenge. But I knew it was worth it.

Imagery would help further immerse readers in the story: King Terenas' stern face at the Council meeting, Medivh's imposing figure looking down at the leaders in disappointment, the desperation on Arthas' face as he faced the undead, Mal'Ganis' sinister laughter emerging from the shadows...

It was his best work so far.

Xander closed his eyes for a moment and allowed himself a smile.

"If this doesn't get people's attention, nothing will."

Arthas' story was not just a chronicle of war and heroism. It was a tragedy.

Xander had felt it with every word he wrote, with every scene in which the young prince, with the best of intentions, sank deeper and deeper into darkness.

It all culminated in Stratholme.

By the time Arthas and his men reached the city, it was too late. The villagers had been infected with the Plague and would transform into undead within hours. Mal'Ganis confirmed this, mocking him, promising that soon all of his people would serve the Lich King's will.

And then, Arthas made his decision.

"The whole city must be purged."

Xander had dedicated an entire chapter to this moment. Every sword stroke, every cry of supplication, every sudden transformation into undead. The knights and soldiers who had followed Arthas until now began to hesitate. Uther and Jaina tried to stop him, horrified by what he was doing, but the prince was convinced there was no other option.

The Stratholme massacre was brutal.

Desperate villagers fled through the burning streets, crying out for their lives. Some knelt before Arthas, begging him to save them, but he saw no longer peasants, but future abominations. His hammer did not waver.

When it was all over, the city was a smoldering graveyard. Mal'Ganis, satisfied, vanished into the mist, inviting Arthas to follow him to Northrend.

And he did.

The expedition to the frozen continent was the next big twist in the story. Xander had put special effort into describing the change in atmosphere. If Lordaeron had felt like a heroic kingdom, Northrend was the threshold of an abyss with no return.

The cold, relentless.

The snow, infinite.

The wind, a whisper of warning.

It was there that Arthas was reunited with Muradin Bronzebeard, his old combat teacher. Muradin tried to reason with the prince, but Arthas would no longer listen to advice. He had only one goal: find and kill Mal'Ganis.

But the expedition began to fall apart.

Supplies were running low.

The soldiers were freezing to death.

The Plague continued to haunt them, as if fate itself was conspiring against them.

Uther, unable to tolerate his former pupil's actions any longer, sent a messenger with a direct order from King Terenas: the expedition was to turn back. The war in Northrend was over.

But Arthas wasn't willing to accept that.

The thought of returning empty-handed was unacceptable. Not after everything he had sacrificed. Not after Stratholme.

So he made a decision.

In the darkness of the night, he ordered a group of mercenaries to destroy the ships that had brought them there. The soldiers would wake up to the news that they were trapped in Northrend, with no way out.

When the mercenaries completed their task, Arthas executed them without hesitation, accusing them of treason.

Muradin looked at him in horror.

"What are you doing, boy?"

"We make sure no one can escape," Arthas replied coldly.

For him, there was no way back.

He was no longer a hero.

Arthas' fate was sealed in the frozen wastes of Northrend.

When the cold and hopelessness seemed to have exhausted the last vestiges of his humanity, an opportunity arose: Frostmourne.

Mal'Ganis continued to taunt him, to defy him, knowing himself immortal as long as his master, the Lich King, protected him. Arthas could not accept that. Not after everything he had lost. Not after sacrificing his soul at Stratholme.

Muradin Bronzebeard, faithful to his duty as mentor and friend, accompanied him on the journey to the cave where, according to legend, the sword lay. A weapon of unimaginable power, forged in the very heart of the abyss.

The journey was arduous.

Snowstorms lashed them mercilessly.

The undead lurked around every corner.

The air itself weighed as if death were whispering in their ears.

But when they reached the altar where Frostmourne rested, they both sensed something was wrong.

Muradin, with his experience and knowledge of cursed relics, was the first to notice the warning carved into the stone surrounding the sword.

"The price of power is the curse of the soul."

The icy inscription gleamed in the faint blue light emanating from the weapon. Muradin turned to Arthas, his expression filled with alarm.

"Boy, this sword… is cursed. We can't touch it. We must get out of here right now!"

But Arthas did not listen.

His eyes were fixed on the frozen blade, on the promise of absolute power it offered.

"With this weapon, I can destroy Mal'Ganis."

A flash of conviction flashed in his eyes.

"I will accept any curse… as long as it saves my people."

Muradin tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Arthas called upon his power, and with a roar of determination, he raised his sword against the icy prison that held Frostmourne.

The explosion was devastating.

Ice exploded in all directions, and a sharp shard embedded itself in Muradin's chest. The dwarf collapsed with a muffled groan, his armor stained red.

"Muradin!" Arthas fell to his knees beside him, his eyes wide.

His hand rose, calling upon the holy light he had so often used to heal the wounded. But nothing happened.

The Light did not respond.

He did not feel his warmth, nor his mercy.

He only felt the cold presence of Frostmourne calling to him.

For a moment, her heart wavered.

But then, the voice.

A guttural whisper, ancient and vast as the night itself, reverberated in his mind.

"Go ahead, Arthas. Claim your vengeance."

The prince closed his eyes, his mind clouded by the promise of power.

Without another word, he stood up, ignoring Muradin's body, and ignoring what remained of his former morality.

He took the sword in both hands, feeling the cold invade his soul.

And then, he returned to Mal'Ganis' base.

The demon greeted him with a smile of triumph.

"So you have taken the Frostmoure. At the cost of the lives of your companions."

But Arthas interrupted him.

"You are wasting your breath Mal'Ganis, now I only hear Frostmoure's voice"

The demon widened his smile

"You hear the voice of the dark lord, he whispers to you through the sword you wield, tell me… young prince, what does the dark lord of the dead tell you?"

"He tells me that…"

Arthas raised his sword, his breath condensing in the air.

"The time has come… for my revenge."

Mal'Ganis barely had time to react before the cursed blade pierced his chest.

The demon let out a roar of agony. Its form crumbled into dark energy, consumed by the runesteel of Frostmourne.

Arthas, his gaze vacant and his face illuminated by the icy light of his new weapon, stood in the silent, frozen wasteland.

The wind howled.

The storm intensified.

And in his mind, the voice whispered again.

"Welcome to your destiny."

That's how the story ended... but not the history.

For though Mal'Ganis had fallen, the true horror was only just beginning.

Arthas disappeared into the frozen wastes of Northrend, lost in the storm, leaving only the uncertainty of what would become of him.

Xander leaned back in his chair and sighed.

The story was ready.

Xander stood up, feeling the weight of the finished pages in his hands. The Scourge of Lordaeron was ready to see the light of day. Now all that was left was to take it to the bookstore and hope that it would capture the public's attention, as his first book had done.

He took the manuscript carefully, making sure each page was in order. He had spent days polishing the details, checking the illustrations, and making sure each chapter conveyed the hopelessness, the sacrifice, and Arthas's fall into darkness.

He headed towards the main gate of the headquarters and out into the streets of Orario.

The morning sun illuminated the city, but Xander barely paid attention. His mind was focused on what came next.

After the success of Exodus of the Horde, there was anticipation. I knew many were waiting for the continuation of the story. And this time, I had taken things a step further. The Scourge of Lordaeron was darker, more tragic. It told not only the story of the fight against the Scourge, but of a hero's descent into damnation.

He walked through the streets with a firm step, nodding to a few merchants and adventurers he recognized by sight. Finally, he arrived at the bookstore where he had published his first book.

He pushed the door and entered.

The scent of paper and ink greeted him, along with the curious look of the bookseller, who raised an eyebrow at the sight.

"Well, if you're not the star writer," the man said with a smile. "Let me guess… you have something new for me?"

Xander set the manuscript down on the counter with a confident gesture.

"The Scourge of Lordaeron. The continuation of the story."

The bookseller took the manuscript and flipped through a few pages, his expression changing as he read the first few paragraphs.

"If it's as good as the first one, this one is going to sell like hotcakes." Xander smiled, crossing his arms.

Xander walked out of the bookstore and walked through Orario with his hands in his pockets, enjoying the fresh air after leaving his book at the bookstore. Everything was going well. The Scourge of Lordaeron was his best work so far, and with the reception that The Exodus of the Horde had, surely this one would work as well.

But then his mind wandered to Veldrin and Lili.

He put a hand to his chin, thoughtful. "I wonder how those two are doing…"

…

On the 15th floor of the Dungeon, Veldrin and Lili were far from "okay."

They weren't on the verge of death or anything, but they were exhausted and covered in scratches and dirt.

Veldrin exhaled heavily as he wiped some blood—a monster's, not his own—from his cheek with the back of his hand. His clothes had a few cuts, nothing serious, but the wear was evident.

Lili sat on a rock, breathing heavily as she checked her crossbow. She had used up more arrows than she would have liked, and her Mind was at its limit after using Fire Arrow repeatedly.

"…How far is it to the 18th floor?" he asked in a small voice.

Veldrin sighed. "We still have to cross the 16th floor… and the 17th, where Goliath is."

Lili grimaced. "What if we go back?"

The elf frowned at her, but in the end he simply exhaled through his nose and shrugged. "If we encounter something worse, yes. But as long as we can continue moving forward without problems, I prefer to continue."

Lili grunted something under her breath, but didn't argue.

…

Back on the surface, Xander scratched his chin and smiled.

"Nah, I'm sure they're fine."

Then, a familiar, energetic voice called out to him from the side.

"Hey, God of Heroes! Where are you so thoughtful?"

Xander turned his head and smiled as he saw Alise, the leader of the Astrea Familia, standing with her arms crossed and an amused expression on her face. Her long red hair moved slightly in the breeze, and her confident demeanor stood out in the crowd.

"Alise." Xander tilted his head in acknowledgement. "Just strolling. How about you?"

"Finishing up some business with the Guild." He shrugged. "Though now that I see you, I'm curious… How are things going with your little familia?"

Xander let out a small laugh upon hearing Alise's question.

"They're doing well. Well, sort of. Veldrin and Lili are in the Dungeon right now. I hope they're not getting into too much trouble."

Alise raised an eyebrow and smirked. "What's wrong, Xan? Worried about your disciples?"

Xander narrowed his eyes. "'Xan'?"

"Yeah, it sounds better than saying your whole name." Alise shrugged with a mocking smile. 

"Plus, it sounds friendlier."

Xander sighed and put a hand to his forehead. "I don't know if that's a compliment or just laziness on your part."

"A bit of both." Alise laughed. "But come on, admit it, you like the role of the protector god."

Xander clicked his tongue. "I'm just doing what a good god should do."

"Whatever you say, Xan." Alise patted him on the back. "So what? Are you still writing stories or have you given up?"

Xander snorted. "Who do you take me for? I just finished my second book."

"Ohh, really?" Alise crossed her arms, intrigued. "Well, as long as you don't make me look like the villain in one of your stories, I'll be sure to read it." Xander gave a small smile at Alise's interest.

"Don't worry, I have no plans to turn you into a villain… at least not yet."

Alise rolled her eyes, but her smile remained. "Better never. Although, now that I think about it, how much inspiration have you drawn from the people here for those stories of yours?"

Xander put his hands behind his head as they walked. "A little, maybe. It's hard not to when you're around adventurers every day. There's something about you two… that determination, that desire to push the boundaries, that makes you natural characters for a story."

Alise looked at him sideways with a raised eyebrow. "That sounds like a fancy attempt to say you're stealing our ideas."

Xander laughed. "Well, if you want to look at it that way…"

Alise laughed too, but then her expression softened. "No, really, I'm glad to see you so committed to it. I've seen gods lose themselves in idleness, doing little more than watching their children fight and drink as if eternity didn't weigh them down. But you… you find ways to keep going."

Xander looked down a little, thoughtful. "I guess I was never good at sitting still. 

Although, to be honest, writing is harder than I expected."

"Harder than fighting in the Dungeon?"

Xander smirked. "They're two completely different kinds of fighting. In one, the enemy is in front of you, it's tangible. In the other… you fight with ideas, with words, with the doubt of whether what you're doing is worth it. Besides, my kids take care of that part."

Alise nodded slowly. "I understand what you're saying. Sometimes, leading isn't so different. It's not just about fighting or giving orders, it's about keeping everyone together, making every decision count."

Xander looked at her carefully. "It must be heavy."

"It is. But that's how it is. Someone has to do it."

There was a brief silence between the two of them as they walked through the streets of Orario. It was a comfortable kind of silence, like that of two people who understood the weight of their responsibilities without needing many words.

After a moment, Alise smiled. "But, enough with the serious talk. When is your book coming out? I want to see if everyone starts talking about you as 'Xander, the great writer.'"

Xander gave a small laugh. "It's already in the bookstore, actually. Now we just have to see how it fares."

"Then I'll have to buy a copy." Alise nudged him lightly in the side. "If you ever become famous, I want to say that I was one of the first to read your work."

Xander shook his head in amusement. "As if you needed any more reasons to brag."

"Of course." Alise smiled confidently. "But also because I want to see how much you've improved. If it turns out to be bad, I'll be the first to tell you."

"I will take it as motivation to improve."

Alise nodded, satisfied. "Good. I like seeing you like this, Xan. Doing something you're passionate about."

Xander paused for a second, surprised by the sincerity in her words. Then he smiled slightly. "Thank you, Alise."

She smiled back. "That's what friends are for, right?"

Xander nodded, feeling like the conversation with Alise was more genuine than he expected. He leaned against the railing of a nearby bridge, looking out at the river that ran through part of the city.

"What about you, Alise? We always talk about my stories and my familia, but you've never told me what else you do when you're not training your girls or kicking monsters in the Dungeon."

Alise crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "Hmm… I guess there's not much to say. Between leading the familia, training, and fighting, I don't have much time left for anything else."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you're the type who only lives for battle."

Alise laughed with a hint of amusement. "Not as much as Lion, but yes, I do like fighting. Although, if you want to know something more personal…" She leaned against the railing next to him. "Sometimes I go up to the rooftops of Orario at night and just stand there looking at the stars. It's something I did when I was younger, when I was still figuring out what I wanted to do with my life."

Xander looked at her curiously. "And what were you thinking at that moment?"

Alise smiled wistfully. "I wanted to do something that mattered. I didn't just want to be another adventurer. I wanted to lead, to inspire others, to be someone who made a difference."

Xander nodded in understanding. "And you did it."

"Not yet." Alise shook her head. "There's still so much I want to do. There are still more battles to fight, more people to protect. But I guess that's part of life, isn't it? You never feel like you've really arrived, you just keep moving forward."

Xander smiled. "Wise words, Captain."

Alise gave him a gentle push on the shoulder. "Don't call me that, Xan. It sounds weird coming from you."

Xander laughed. "Okay, okay. But it's interesting to know more about you. I didn't think you had such a contemplative side."

Alise shrugged. "I guess we all have it. We just don't always show it."

There was a brief silence between them, but it wasn't awkward. It was the kind of silence you share with someone who doesn't need words to fill the gaps.

Finally, Xander exhaled. "Well, thanks for sharing that. Now every time I see the rooftops of Orario, I'm going to imagine you there, philosophizing about life."

Alise rolled her eyes with a smile. "If you put it like that, it sounds ridiculous."

"But it's a good memory."

She looked at him for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I guess it is."

Xander patted him on the back. "Come on, I'll buy you a beer. For the late night inspiration and because I'll probably end up in debt to you after this."

Alise laughed. "That sounds like a good deal."

And with that, they went on their way, conversing with the same camaraderie, their bond growing stronger with each shared word.

Xander and Alise continued walking through the streets of Orario, enjoying their leisurely conversation. The hustle and bustle of the city around them seemed far away, as if at that moment only each other's company mattered.

"So, how long have you been in Orario?" Xander asked, glancing sideways at Alise.

She smiled with a hint of pride. "Since I was fourteen. I came with a dream and a sword, ready to prove that I could do something great."

Xander nodded, imagining a younger Alise, full of determination and energy. "So what was it like? Did you have a rough start?"

Alise let out a short laugh. "Difficult? Brutal, rather. I spent weeks without a place to stay, and the first few adventurers I met weren't exactly the best. But I learned quickly. I found people who helped me, who challenged me to be better."

Xander smiled in amusement. "Let me guess, Kaguya was one of them."

Alise crossed her arms. "Kaguya… yes, although we didn't get along at first. We always fought, and not just with words. But over time we understood each other, and well, you know what our relationship is like now."

Xander nodded, unsurprised. "Let me guess, it was one of those friendships that were born after kicking each other's butts."

"Exactly." Alise laughed. "I think most of the strongest friendships start like that in this world."

They arrived at a quieter tavern, a quieter place where they could drink without the hustle and bustle of the more popular areas. Xander ordered two beers and leaned against the bar while they waited.

"And you?" Alise asked, leaning an elbow on the table and looking at him with interest. "You always talk about your 'children', your familia… but what about you? What did Xander expect when he came to Orario?"

Xander took a moment before answering, turning his mug of beer in his hands. "At first, I was just looking for something different. Something new. I'd always heard stories about Orario, about the adventurers, the gods… I found it interesting."

Alise raised an eyebrow. "And that's all? Were you just looking for entertainment?"

Xander smiled, but didn't say anything right away. "Maybe. But when I arrived, I saw more than I expected. I saw people fighting not just for power or glory, but for something bigger. I saw adventurers risking everything for their comrades. I saw families forming under the most difficult circumstances."

Alise watched him closely, noticing the more serious tone in his voice. "And that changed your perspective?"

Xander took a sip of his beer before nodding. "Yeah. It's not just about entertainment anymore. Now I want to see how far I can go. I want to see how far those who are with me can go."

Alise smiled, raising her mug. "A good goal. Let's drink to that."

Xander raised his hand. "For whatever comes next."

They clinked their mugs, and the conversation continued in the same relaxed and friendly tone. Without realizing it, time passed faster than expected.

Finally, Alise set her empty mug down on the table and stretched. "Well, Xan, it was a nice chat, but I have to get back. The girls will kill me if I disappear too long."

Xander smiled. "I understand. But hey, don't get used to me buying you a beer, it's not something I do every day."

Alise laughed. "I'll keep that in mind. See you later, Xan."

With one last smile, Alise said goodbye, leaving him with the feeling that his bond with her had grown even deeper. Xander stayed a moment longer, calmly finishing his drink, before deciding what to do next.

Xander had barely arrived at the headquarters when he plopped down into a chair with a sigh. It had been an interesting day, but now he just wanted to relax a bit before deciding on his next move.

However, just as he was beginning to settle in, the door to the headquarters was flung open.

Veldrin and Lili staggered in, covered in dirt, dust, and small cuts. Their clothes were a mess, especially Lili's, which had parts of it singed. Veldrin,

For his part, he had an expression of absolute exhaustion, as if he had been fighting nonstop for days.

Xander blinked a few times and watched them in silence.

"What the hell happened to them?" he finally asked.

Lili, with a glazed look, raised a trembling finger. "Lili… Lili hates the thirteenth floor… Lili never wants to go back…"

Veldrin dropped to the ground without even bothering to reach a chair. "The idea of going down any further was complete stupidity. Don't remind me of that."

Xander brought a hand to his chin, pretending to be in deep thought. "Hmm… what was that I said earlier? Oh, yeah. 'Nah, I'm sure they're fine.'"

Lili glared at him. "Xander-sama is a horrible god."

Xander laughed and stood up. "Okay, okay, come on, go take a shower. I don't want the whole headquarters smelling like a Dungeon."

Veldrin grunted but didn't argue, and Lili barely had the strength to nod before heading to her room.

Xander watched them go and crossed his arms with an amused smile. "At least they made it out alive."

After a long while, both Veldrin and Lili finally returned, their skin still red from the hot water and wearing clean clothes. They looked much better, though they still had an obvious exhausted expression.

Xander was waiting for them in the main room, sitting cross-legged on a couch. When he saw them enter, he waved them over.

"Well, now that you two no longer look like beggars straight out of the Dungeon, I think it's time to update your statuses."

Lili, who was finishing drying her hair with a towel, stood still for a moment before nodding. She knew she had improved a lot, but she was worried if it was enough.

Veldrin, for his part, sighed and shrugged. "I definitely want to see how far we can go after that madness."

"Then let's not waste any time." Xander smiled and stood up.

Veldrin Lightstorm

Level 2

Strength: I0 → G209

Endurance: I0 → H187

Dexterity: I0 → G225

Agility: I0 → G288

Magic: I0 → G256

Magic:

Burn Mana: Magic without chant. Sends a beam of negative energy that burns 15% of the target's mind, dealing damage in proportion to the mind eliminated. Requires a magic stat other than I0. Immolation: Magic without chant. Generates a large layer of flames around the user, consuming mind while active.

Skills:

Incarnation (Demon Hunter): Through the altar of the elders, the body adapts to the Demon Hunter's history. Manifestation of the Demon Hunter's Skills and Magic. Evasion: 15% chance that the enemy will miss with their attacks.

Xander whistled in admiration as he watched Veldrin's progress.

"Well, well… who knew that almost dying in the Dungeon would pay off?"

Veldrin, still wearing the towel around his neck, rolled his eyes. "Is that all you have to say?"

Xander patted him on the shoulder with a smirk. "Come on, admit it, you're satisfied. You went from being a newly promoted level 2 to this in just a few days. And considering your stats were at I0, that's a huge jump."

Veldrin sighed, but couldn't help but let a small smile form on his face. "Yes, I admit it. Although… I still feel like there's a long way to go."

Xander nodded. "And so it should be. An adventurer who is content with his current power is doomed to be left behind." Then he looked at Lili. "Well, it's your turn."

Liliruca Arde

Level 1

Strength: I19 → H187

Endurance: I44 → G229

Dexterity: I11 → G203

Agility: I20 →H155

Magic: I0 → H169

Magic:

Scout Owl – Magic without song. Creates an invulnerable owl that shares its senses with the creator. It cannot attack, but can see invisible units. Fire Arrow – Unchanted magic. Adds fire damage to thrown projectiles. Does not work on melee weapons. Consumes mind per shot.

Skills:

Incarnation (Moon Priestess) – Through the altar of the elders, the body adapts to the history of the Moon Priestess. Manifestation of the Moon Priestess's Abilities and Magic.

Veldrin looked over his statistics with a serious expression, but he couldn't help but feel a certain satisfaction.

"Over a hundred points in everything…" he muttered, assessing his progress. "Not bad."

Lili, on the other hand, seemed completely surprised by her own improvement.

"Lili almost tripled her stats!" he exclaimed, still absorbing the growth. "Lili's stamina went from I44 to G229! That's more than five times higher!"

Xander let out a whistle, impressed. "Not bad at all, little girl. Looks like all that suffering was worth it."

Veldrin looked at his blade one last time before letting out a sigh. "Well… I guess at least we can say we accomplished something now."

Xander crossed his arms with a smile. "Yeah, they managed to keep me from letting them back into the dungeon for a few days. They've climbed too much in a short time, which means their bodies have to adjust to those changes."

Lili puffed out her cheeks, but didn't protest. Veldrin simply nodded.

"I wasn't planning on going back there right away anyway." Xander nodded, satisfied with Veldrin's answer.

"Fine. Then consider this a forced vacation."

Lili sighed heavily, plopping down into a chair. "Lili won't complain… though she has no idea what to do with all that free time."

Veldrin crossed his arms in thought. "Maybe we could take advantage of the opportunity to train outside the dungeon. Work on technique, instead of just fighting for our lives all the time."

Xander snapped his fingers. "I like the way you think. Plus, you could help Lili with her shooting. Now that her skill has increased so much, it would be good for her to learn how to make the most of it."

Lili puffed out her chest proudly. "Lili always hits the mark!"

Veldrin raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Lili looked away. "Almost always…"

Xander laughed, shaking his head. "Anyway, take a couple days off before you do anything. You've been on the brink of death, you deserve to recover."

Veldrin nodded, though he was clearly not used to the idea of doing nothing. Lili, on the other hand, seemed to be torn between enjoying the break or finding something to keep herself busy.

Xander looked at the two of them with a smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to do as well. Enjoy your free time… but not too much, okay?"

And with that, he left them alone, wondering what they would do with their "vacation."

The next day, the Xander Familia headquarters was unusually quiet. With Veldrin and Lili out of the Dungeon, the atmosphere lacked the usual hustle and bustle of preparations for exploration.

Xander stretched as he left his room, enjoying the rare feeling of not having to immediately worry about someone dying in the basement. He headed into the kitchen, where he found Lili sitting at the table with an expression of utter indecision, staring at a piece of bread as if waiting for it to give her answers.

"Are you offended by the bread or are you planning to attack it?" Xander asked with a smirk.

Lili sighed, resting her head on the table. "Lili is bored."

"That's a problem," Xander said as he poured himself some water. "A bored adventurer ends up in trouble."

Lili glanced at him. "Should Lili go to the Dungeon then?"

Xander wagged a finger. "Not so fast. I already told you to rest. You can train if you want, but no going underground."

At that moment, Veldrin entered the kitchen, looking much more relaxed than the day before, although with the same attitude of someone who was not used to inactivity.

"Good morning," he greeted simply as he helped himself to something to eat.

Xander watched him for a moment. "What about you? What are your plans?"

Veldrin shrugged. "If I can't enter the Dungeon, I at least want to train a little. I don't want my skills to get rusty."

Xander nodded in approval. "Good idea. Maybe you could help Lili improve her aim. She needs to make better use of her new abilities, too."

Lili frowned. "Lili always hits the mark."

Veldrin smiled slightly. "You already said that yesterday."

Xander laughed and patted Lili on the head. "Well, then do that. Train, but don't kill each other."

Lili snorted, but didn't protest.

So, with the day off ahead, Veldrin and Lili prepared for some light training while Xander decided how to use his own time.

…

Xander walked through the bustling streets of Orario, enjoying the fresh morning air. He had spent so much time immersed in the routine of headquarters and the Dungeon that going for a walk without any real urgency felt oddly relaxing.

However, her fate was not random. She wanted to see for herself how Warcraft: The Scourge of Lordaeron was doing in sales. Although she was confident in her story, the public's reaction was always a mystery. Had she captured their attention? Or would her book end up collecting dust on a shelf?

As he approached the bookstore, he began to notice something unusual. There were more people than usual on the street, and a lively murmur filled the air. He frowned, quickening his pace.

When he finally arrived at the bookstore, the scene he encountered took him by surprise.

There was a huge line leading out of the shop and down the street. Adventurers, merchants, and even civilians were lined up, some already holding a copy of his book, while others were excitedly discussing amongst themselves. The owner of the bookstore, a middle-aged man with a sweaty face from the number of customers, was behind the counter, moving frantically to serve everyone.

Xander blinked.

"Well, this is new."

The god enjoyed the lively atmosphere in the bookstore as the bookseller tried to serve the crowd.

"Xander!" he exclaimed, trying to manage several customers at once. "Your book is selling like hotcakes! I'm going to need more copies, lots more!"

Xander crossed his arms, pretending to think about it. "Oh, really? Is it that good?"

The bookseller snorted. "Don't be humble! As soon as people started reading it, the news spread. Now everyone wants a copy, and I've already had to turn away several because they're sold out."

Xander looked at the shelves, and where there had once been stacks of books, there were now only a few scattered copies.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it," he said with a smile. "Looks like the publisher will have to print more copies."

"I'm already working on that," the bookseller replied, nodding frantically. "If this keeps up, you could end up with more followers than the most famous bards in town."

As they talked, he noticed several customers looking at him curiously. Some whispered amongst themselves, until finally a young adventurer approached with his copy of the book in his hands.

"Y-You're the author?" he asked excitedly.

Xander nodded. "That's right."

"It's amazing! I'm only just getting through the part where Arthas and Uther discuss the plague, but the tension is brutal. That moment when it's revealed that the plague is in Andorhal's grains left me cold!"

Another customer, a burly dwarf, chimed in as he flipped through the pages. "The illustrations are great. That picture of the first infected village…Phew"You really feel the desperation of the people."

"I've reached the part where Kel'Thuzad first appears!" a merchant exclaimed. "That damn necromancer is creepy, but I can't stop reading."

Xander smiled in satisfaction. People were just beginning to get into the story, but it was already having the impact he had hoped for. If they were already talking with such excitement in such a short time, then the next few weeks would be even more interesting.

As Xander enjoyed the audience's reaction, more people came up with comments and questions about the story. The excitement in the air was palpable.

"The scene where the dead rise on the battlefield was brutal!" said an adventurer with a shocked expression. "The descriptions are so vivid that I almost felt like I was there. And the illustration… Gods! Those skeletons with glowing eyes, the fallen warriors coming back to life… spectacular!"

Another customer, a woman dressed as a mage, nodded enthusiastically. "What struck me most was how you captured Arthas' desperation. He's not just a hero facing evil, you can feel his inner conflict. Ever since he discovered the plague, his desperation is growing and it shows in every dialogue. It's fascinating!"

The bookseller, who had been listening intently, rubbed his hands together with a satisfied smile. "Xander, if this keeps up, you might have to consider writing faster. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but if the story keeps gripping people like this, they're going to be demanding a sequel before the week is out."

Xander laughed. "Well, the plan was always to continue with the story, but I didn't expect people to get hooked so quickly."

The dwarf from before laughed. "Bah, when something is good, you can tell from the start. Although, hey, I have one complaint."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah?"

The dwarf crossed his arms. "Yeah. Why did you make Uther's illustration so overly epic? I almost want to see more of him than Arthas himself."

Some of the patrons laughed, and Xander smiled. "Well, Uther is a legend. But give the story time, Arthas still has a lot to show."

As people continued to talk about the book, Xander took a moment to look around. The excitement of the readers, the passion in their voices as they talked about the story, the illustrations, and the characters… it was something he hadn't felt in a long time.

With a satisfied smile, she said goodbye to the bookseller and left the shop, leaving the hustle and bustle of the crowd behind. The reception of her book had been better than she had expected.

Xander walked through the streets of Orario with his hands in his pockets, his mind wandering between different thoughts. With both books published and the overwhelmingly positive reception, there was no doubt that his earnings would be sent to him before long. And considering how well the first one had sold, it was likely that the sum would be even higher this time.

"I'm going to end up having more money than I know what to spend it on."

It was an interesting prospect, especially considering that neither he nor Veldrin nor Lili were the type to spend on unnecessary luxuries. They weren't in great financial need, and the adventurer's guild in general had clear rules about trading Dungeon materials. Being the god of a small familia, he also didn't have to worry about the administrative expenses that other larger families faced.

"I could upgrade the headquarters… or maybe buy better weapons and armor for Veldrin and Lili?"

Xander frowned, his gaze wandering among the adventurers passing by. There was something on his mind that was bothering him, a feeling that he was forgetting something important.

Then, suddenly, his expression changed.

"Wait… isn't leveling up supposed to be a major event?"

He stopped dead, blinking a few times as the thought settled in.

Veldrin had risen to Level 2. It wasn't something that happened every day. Leveling up meant breaking through previous limits, proving that you had reached a new threshold of strength, skill, and experience.

And he did absolutely nothing to celebrate.

"…I'm a fucking mess."

He sighed, bringing a hand to his face. It was his duty as a god to acknowledge his children's achievements. When an adventurer leveled up, their familia would usually throw a small celebration, even in the strictest of families. After all, it meant that their member had achieved what many would never attain.

But in his case… he just gave his status update and moved on.

Now that he thought about it, Lili had also seen a huge growth in her stats. She hadn't leveled up yet, but her progress was evident.

Xander clicked his tongue, annoyed with himself.

"Okay, this needs to be fixed."

Now he had two things to think about. First, finding a way to properly celebrate Veldrin's promotion. And second, making sure Lili received recognition for her efforts as well.

He looked around, searching for inspiration. A traditional celebration among adventurers usually included a good meal, some alcohol for the adults, and a relaxed atmosphere to put aside the worries of the Dungeon for a moment.

"I could take them out to dinner somewhere nice… although with how exhausted they arrived yesterday, they might prefer something a little quieter."

After all, the two of them seemed to have been through hell itself in the Dungeon.

"Mmm… maybe I could organize something at the headquarters. It doesn't have to be anything ostentatious, just a special dinner, something that marks the moment."

As he thought about the logistics of his impromptu celebration, Xander also considered another detail: how would Veldrin feel about it?

Veldrin wasn't the type to seek recognition. If anything, he sometimes seemed more comfortable with the idea of his achievements going unnoticed. But that didn't mean he didn't deserve a celebration.

"Whether you like it or not, you earned it."

Determined, Xander turned on his heel and began walking back to headquarters.

"Time to do something about it."

As he walked back to headquarters, another idea popped into his mind.

"Hephaestus…"

They weren't close friends, but their relationship could be described as moderately friendly. They had crossed paths on several occasions, and although Xander wasn't exactly a client of her familia, he wasn't a stranger to her either.

"If I go and ask her people to forge a new pair of glaives for Veldrin… maybe I can convince her."

It was an interesting thought. Hephaestus led one of the best blacksmith families in Orario. His weapons were the most coveted and therefore the most expensive. Veldrin, with his promotion to Level 2, could surely get more out of superior equipment.

"But I doubt he'll give me a discount just out of sympathy…"

With her new source of income from books, paying for a commission from the Hephaestus Familia wasn't impossible, but she didn't want to waste her money without thinking it through either. Besides, the goddess of fire and forging wasn't the type to accept deals lightly. "Maybe if I put it the right way…"

If he could interest her in Veldrin's growth as an adventurer or even as a potential long-term client, perhaps he could convince her to commission one of her most talented blacksmiths to make a pair of custom glaives.

"Well, I have nothing to lose by trying."

Determined, Xander adjusted his course. Before organizing any celebrations, he would first try to speak with Hephaestus.

Xander arrived in front of the imposing headquarters of the Hephaestus familia, a large stone building with red and black decorations, the symbol of the forge standing out at the entrance. As expected, as soon as he set foot in the door, two guards blocked his way.

"Business or retirement?" asked one of the guards with a sour face.

Xander smiled naturally.

"I have come to see Hephaestus."

The guard didn't even blink. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but I'm an old friend of his from Tenkai. I'm sure he'll want to see me."

The guards looked at each other. Although the excuse sounded dubious, the mention of Tenkai put the situation on ambiguous ground. They couldn't just throw out someone who claimed to know their goddess before coming down to the mortal world.

"Wait here. Let's go check it out."

Xander nodded and crossed his arms as the guards sent someone to confirm his story. It took several minutes for them to return, but eventually one of them sighed and pointed inside. "She's busy, but she agreed to see you. Don't make us regret it."

Xander smiled.

"Easy there, kid. I just came to chat."

With that, he walked through the doors of the headquarters, entering the domain of the goddess of forging.

When Xander entered Hephaestus' office, the first thing he noticed was the smell of warm metal and tanned leather, a scent that permeated the walls of the Hephaestus Familia headquarters. The goddess was sitting behind a solid wooden desk, going over some paperwork, but as soon as she looked up and saw him, she sighed with a mix of resignation and amusement.

"Next time, try not to lie to my guards." She leaned an elbow on the desk and looked at him with a narrowed eye. "Saying we were 'old friends' in Tenkai is a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think? We barely spent any time together to call it anything good."

Xander raised his hands in an innocent gesture.

"Well, technically I didn't lie. We knew each other. There was interaction. That counts, right?"

Hephaestus shook her head, but a slight smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"I guess storytelling comes with the title of God of Heroes."

"Is a natural talent." Xander smiled, then pointed at the desk. "But I didn't just come here to chat about old times. I wanted to ask you a favor."

Hephaestus raised an eyebrow, as if she already imagined that something like this was coming.

"A favor? What kind of favor?"

Hephaestus rested both elbows on the desk and interlaced her fingers, looking at it curiously.

"Let me guess… you want a weapon."

Xander smiled. "Not for me."

"So, for whom?"

"Veldrin."

Hephaestus settled back in his seat, thoughtful.

"Veldrin Lightstorm, your familia's elf, right?"

"That's right." Xander crossed his arms. "He just leveled up to level 2, and I want to give him a gift to match. He's worked really hard to get here."

Hephaestus nodded with a murmur of approval.

"Not a bad idea. Although, considering he's an adventurer, I imagine you'll want more than just a decoration."

"Exactly." Xander rested his hands on the desk and leaned forward slightly. "It doesn't have to be a weapon you personally made—I know you have a thousand things to do—but I want it to be something of excellent quality. Enough to see you through the challenges ahead." Hephaestus narrowed her visible eye. "You want it to be my familia's job, then."

Xander nodded. "That's it. Veldrin uses glaives, two of them, to be exact. He needs weapons that can withstand his growth and the beasts in the dungeon. I want them to be strong, durable, but also light. Something that will actually allow him to fight like he does."

Hephaestus leaned back in her chair, thoughtful.

"I can order it from one of my best blacksmiths, but that won't be cheap."

Xander smirked. "It's no problem. Let's just say I've been making a nice living lately."

Hephaestus gave a nasal laugh. "Ah, right. I heard something about your books causing a stir in the city. So the great storyteller of heroes wants to reward his own hero."

Xander shrugged with a smile. "Something like that."

Hephaestus rested a hand on her desk. "Fine, I can accept the commission. But I want details. Any preferences on the design? Materials?"

Xander crossed his arms and thought for a moment. "Veldrin's current ones are well-balanced, but I want these to be better in every aspect. For materials… if you have something that can withstand constant use without becoming heavy, that would be ideal."

Hephaestus nodded. "I have a couple of ideas. I'll ask one of my best blacksmiths to handle it personally. I'll pass on the final cost when it's ready."

Xander smiled. "That sounds perfect. Thank you, Hephaestus."

The goddess shook her head, but her expression showed some amusement.

"Don't thank me yet."

Hephaestus leaned forward slightly, his only visible eye watching Xander intently.

"If you really want something of the highest quality… each glaive will probably cost around four million valis."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Eight million total, then."

Hephaestus nodded. "I'll entrust the job to Tsubaki, my captain. She's the best blacksmith in my familia, except for me, of course."

Xander let out a soft whistle. "Well, that explains the price."

"If you want the best, you'll pay for it." Hephaestus leaned an elbow on the desk and smiled slightly. "But considering you sold hundreds of books in a single day, you shouldn't worry too much."

Xander crossed his arms in thought. Eight million valis was no small amount, but if the weapons were really worth it, then it would be a more than justified investment.

"Okay." He finally nodded. "I trust your word. How long will it take?"

"It will depend on how busy Tsubaki will be, but I doubt it will take more than two weeks."

Xander nodded in satisfaction. "Perfect."

Hephaestus looked at him curiously. "I didn't expect you to be the kind of god who cares so much about his children."

Xander smirked. "Technically, I didn't expect to be the kind of god who writes books either, but here we are."

Hephaestus gave a short laugh. "I suppose you're right." Then, her expression became more serious. "Not many familias give gifts like this when an adventurer levels up, anyway. It's a nice gesture."

Xander shrugged. "Well, not all adventurers are like Veldrin."

Hephaestus smiled slightly. "That's also true."

With the deal done, Xander stood up from his seat. "Then, I'll wait for news when the weapons are ready."

Hephaestus nodded. "I'll come and let you know when Tsubaki is done. And don't worry, it'll be worth every penny."

Xander smiled. "I don't doubt it." He then turned around and headed for the exit, feeling like he had made the right decision.

—

Chapter a little shorter than usual, thanks for the support to those who comment